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Field Sharpening Opinions - DMT Diafold?

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Hi everyone,

After returning from a rather long trip during which I managed to dull both my SAK and Opinel I realized that I should have brought along a sharpening stone of some sort. Since then I've been looking for something durable, lightweight, and simple for backpacking and travel; needless to say my SharpMaker doesn't quite fit the bill.

I've been looking at the DMT Diafold files and am pretty set on picking one up in a few days. I usually carry my scandi-grind Helle when backpacking and a SAK soldier when traveling and think the DMT should work great for "field" touchups, I just can't decide on what grit combination would be the most versatile.

> coarse/fine - described as "quickly sharpen a neglected edge"/"put a keen edge on a maintained tool"
> fine/extra fine - described as "put a keen edge on a maintained tool"/"sharpen to a razor edge"

I wouldn't ever let my knives become "neglected" if I could help it, in which case a fine/extra fine file would probably suffice, but then perhaps the coarse/fine combination would offer more flexibility in fixing accidental damage or unanticipated wear? Anyone with experience using one of these in either combination in a "field" situation care to chime in?

Not looking to buy multiple files, just a single one to pack along with me in case things start to get a bit dull. So far, one vote for C/F and one for F/EF... Why do I have a feeling like a lot of people might share my indecision?

I have taken a C/F dmt diafold with me on my trip to the west highland way.

My take on this: it's way better to go with the C/F. When you really hurt your blade, you can restore it with this one on Coarse and still get it very sharp with the Fine side (shaving). For touchups, Fine is more than enough in the field.

WIth F/EF your options are more limited and you really do not need EF except to satisfy a sick sharpness craving You won't need to do surgery with your scalpel in the field.

I have taken a C/F dmt diafold with me on my trip to the west highland way.

My take on this: it's way better to go with the C/F. When you really hurt your blade, you can restore it with this one on Coarse and still get it very sharp with the Fine side (shaving). For touchups, Fine is more than enough in the field.

WIth F/EF your options are more limited and you really do not need EF except to satisfy a sick sharpness craving You won't need to do surgery with your scalpel in the field.

so, I totally agree with tatteredmidnight.

+1

In a survival situation (should it come up), you're not going to care if the edge is polished & scalpel-sharp. You're only going to want a blade that works RIGHT NOW. The Coarse/Fine stone will get it there faster, whether it just needs a touch-up (Fine), or to fix a damaged edge (Coarse). Even if you buy both eventually, get the Coarse/Fine FIRST.

Not wanting to start another thread but what are your opinions on the Lansky Diamond Paddles? I bought the 'fine' blue one and it is not nearly as fine as I thought so it is a good thing for me as I am going to use it as a field sharpener.

In a survival situation (should it come up), you're not going to care if the edge is polished & scalpel-sharp. You're only going to want a blade that works RIGHT NOW. The Coarse/Fine stone will get it there faster, whether it just needs a touch-up (Fine), or to fix a damaged edge (Coarse). Even if you buy both eventually, get the Coarse/Fine FIRST.

+another1
You can definitely get a shaving edge with the fine side, and I can't imagine that's not sharp enough. The coarse side will take out small chips without too much trouble, or fix a rolled edge in a hurry.

I carry a pair in my back pocket all the time (my work is really hard on my knives), a XC/C and a F/XF. If I were going to carry only one Diafold, it would be the C/F blue/red model (which I have but don't carry). The "Coarse" side, which I always considered a medium grit, is decent for repairing accidental damage and establishing a utility edge. The Fine side will easily acheive hair-popping sharpness if you have the skill to sharpen freehand. Unless you put a microbevel on your scandi grind, you are looking at a long road to sharpen even a slightly dulled blade on the fine/x-fine, especially once the new is worn off them.